Research Assistant

About us

The UCL Division of Psychiatry, located within the Faculty of Brain Sciences, is a world-renowned centre of excellence in mental health research. Our mission is to improve mental health through cutting-edge research and education. By leveraging insights from basic science, we address clinical problems with the aim of improving patient outcomes and public health. Moreover, we take pride in delivering innovative teaching that is directly relevant to clinical practice and informed by our research. Join our team and help us drive forward the field of mental health research and education.

We are seeking a research assistant to play a central role in a BBRF funded study “Glu-MAP: Whole-Brain Glutamate Imaging In Psychosis”. Genetic, post-mortem, drug challenge and neuroimaging evidence implicates a role of glutamate signalling in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This study will be the first to use a new neuroimaging sequence, 3D-MRSI, to measure glutamate across the whole brain in first episode psychosis patients.

About the role

Duties and responsibilities

For this role, you will be responsible for the day-to-day running of an MRI research study involving patients with first-episode psychosis and healthy volunteers. You will recruit participants through early intervention clinical teams. You will recruit healthy volunteers from the community.

You will coordinate study visits and MRI scans, and administer research questionnaires and symptom assessments. You will also be responsible for the secure management and quality of study data in accordance with GCP, GDPR and relevant UCL research governance requirements. You will pre process neuroimaging data and contribute to the development of 3D-MRSI analysis pipelines.

In addition to being central to the success of the study, the post holder will have the opportunity to develop their own research with a focus on neuroimaging and patient subtypes. The role will provide opportunities to contribute to data analysis and scientific publications.

Appointment details:

• The post is graded on the non-clinical salary scale at Grade 6B (£40,603, including London Allowance, pro rata).
• The appointment is available from 15/01/2027 and is funded for 12 months in the first instance, with the possibility of being extended.
• The post is offered on a one day per week basis for an initial period of 12 months.

About you

Application process:

• A full job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
• Please use the personal statement section to explain how you meet each essential and desirable criteria outlined in the person specification.
• Please ensure your CV is no longer than 2 pages.
• Please do not upload any additional documents (transcripts, papers, or other reports).
• Please do not upload your photograph on your application/CV.
• Interviews will be held on 1st and 2nd December in person.

Contact details:

• If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dr Kate Merritt k.merritt@ucl.ac.uk

• If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact dop.hr@ucl.ac.uk

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

The full range of staff benefits can be found here: Staff benefits

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL’s workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and – for Grade 9 and 10 roles – women.

Read more: UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Applicants should also familiarise themselves with UCL’s policies on: Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Personal Relationships Policy.

Our department holds an Athena Swan Silver award in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.